Color Blocking Techniques for Fall Cards | CutCardStock

Fall cardmaking does not always have to mean traditional browns, burgundies, and muted oranges. Sometimes a fresh color combination is all you need to give a familiar fall theme a completely different look! For these four handmade fall cards, Rick, decided to play with color blocking and a fun, unexpected palette of bright cardstock colors from CutCardStock.

The result is a set of four fall cards that share the same stamped design but each have a different color-blocking layout. This is a great way to create multiple cards from one idea while still making every card feel unique. Each finished card measures 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″.

Choose a Fun Fall Color Palette

For this project, I wanted to move away from the traditional fall color palette and create something more playful. I chose Pop Tone Banana Split Cardstock, Pop Tone Orange Fizz Cardstock, Pop Tone Pink Lemonade Cardstock, and Pop Tone Gum Drop Green Cardstock.

These colors work surprisingly well for fall! The bright yellow, orange, pink, and green create plenty of contrast, while Pop Tone Hot Fudge Cardstock adds the deep brown accent needed to ground the designs.

I also used Cougar White Smooth CardStock 80 lbs Cardstock for the stamped panels and sentiments. For the card bases, I used the 110 lb version of Cougar White Smooth CardStock. The heavier weight creates a sturdy foundation for each handmade card.

Step 1: Create the Color-Blocked Panels

Start by selecting the colors you want to use for your four card designs. I chose Pop Tone Banana Split, Pop Tone Orange Fizz, Pop Tone Pink Lemonade, and Pop Tone Gum Drop Green.

Cut pieces of each colored cardstock to 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″. Then, cut each piece into different strips and blocks.

This is where you can have fun experimenting!

The goal is not to make every card identical. Instead, change the direction, width, and placement of your color blocks. One card can feature vertical strips, while another can use wider horizontal sections. You can also combine different-sized blocks for a more graphic look.

Creative tip: Before adding adhesive, arrange all of your pieces on your work surface. Move the colors around until you like the balance. This makes it much easier to create four coordinated cards without having to remove glued pieces later.

Step 2: Build and Stamp the Background

Next, cut four pieces of Cougar White Smooth CardStock 80 lbs to 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″.

Attach the colored cardstock pieces to each white panel, creating your four different color-blocking techniques. Once everything is securely adhered, trim each completed panel to 3 3/4″ x 5″.

Now it is time to bring the stamped design into the color-blocking technique.

Using the Acorn Almanac Background Stamp Set and Versafine Clair Fallen Leaves Ink, stamp the background image directly over each color-blocked panel.

I love this step because the same stamped image looks different on every card. The image visually connects the colors while the different layouts keep the four cards from looking repetitive.

Step 3: Add the Layered Sentiment

To give each card a strong focal point, cut Cougar White Smooth CardStock 80 lbs to 1 1/4″ x 2 3/4″.

Stamp the same sentiment onto each piece. I also stamped the single acorn image from the Acorn Almanac Background Stamp Set onto the sentiment panel.

For a little extra contrast, mat each sentiment panel onto Pop Tone Hot Fudge Cardstock cut to 1 1/2″ x 3″.

Attach the sentiment layers to the card fronts using foam adhesive. The added dimension helps separate the sentiment from the busy stamped background and gives the cards a more finished look.

Step 4: Finish the Four Fall Cards

For the next layer, mat each stamped color-blocked panel onto Pop Tone Hot Fudge Cardstock cut to 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″.

Attach the completed panel to a top-folding A2 card base made from Cougar White Smooth CardStock 110 lbs.

The heavier Cougar cardstock is especially nice here because it gives the finished handmade cards a substantial feel.

For the final details, I added a few white gel pen highlights to the stamped images. A few gold dazzles on each card add just enough sparkle without competing with the bold cardstock colors.

Why Color Blocking Works for Cardmaking

One of my favorite things about color blocking is how much variety you can create with very simple supplies.

You do not need complicated die cuts or lots of embellishments. Instead, the cardstock itself becomes part of the design.

Changing the size and placement of your color blocks can completely change the look of a card. It is also an easy technique to adapt to whatever cardstock colors from CutCardStock you already have in your stash.

For beginners, this is a great way to practice composition and color placement. For more experienced cardmakers, try pushing the technique further by mixing narrow and wide strips, creating asymmetrical layouts, or using a limited color palette.

Create Your Own Color-Blocked Fall Cards

These four cards started with the same basic idea, but each color-blocking arrangement gives the finished design its own personality. That is what makes this technique so useful when you need to make several cards for friends and family.

The bright Pop Tone colors also show that fall cardmaking does not have to be limited to traditional autumn shades. Try your own combination of colors and see how it changes the feel of the stamped design.

Which of these four color-blocking layouts is your favorite? Leave a comment and let me know which one you would make first! And if you try this technique, I would love to see how you use color blocking on your own handmade fall cards.